How to Turn off Vanish Mode on Instagram? (2 Easy Methods): A Complete Guide to Disable the Disappearing Chats

Gaurav Rathore
Gaurav Rathore

Tech Writer

His write-ups blend creativity, personal experience, and tailored technical advice, meeting reader needs effectively.

7 min read

Want to know how to turn off vanish mode on Instagram? I’ve got you!

Vanish Mode is a feature that lets you send messages that disappear once you leave the chat. You can turn it on by simply swiping up the chat. But what if you want to turn it off? All you need to do is swipe up again!

For more information, go through the blog as I show you two possible ways to turn off this feature and some extra tips. So, let’s go!

“Accidentally turned on “vanish mode” on Instagram and panicked on how to turn it off. I need a kid.” @quick_pump on X.

What is Vanish Mode?

Just like the name suggests, Instagram Vanish Mode is a feature that lets you share messages, photos, and videos that disappear immediately once they are seen. This feature is offered on Instagram and Facebook Messenger.

You can use this feature whenever you need to chat privately and do not want any traces of what you discussed.

From what I found on the internet, this feature

  • Only works with users you have chatted with before.
  • Is not available in group chats.
  • Does not allow you to save, copy, or forward the messages.
  • Notifies the user when you try to take a screenshot or record the screen.

How to Disable Vanish Mode on Instagram? (For Android and iOS)

Now that you know the basics of vanish mode, it’s time to get down to business, i.e., learn how to turn off vanish mode on Instagram!

There are typically two ways you can do this: one is by swiping up on the screen (the common method), and the other is (the most obvious one) by visiting the settings.

Notes

When you turn off the vanish mode, it notifies the user on the other side.

Method 1: Swipe Up to Turn Off Vanish Mode

This is the most convenient and popular way to turn off vanish mode Instagram. For that, first you have to:

  1. Open your Instagram and go to Messages.
  2. Open the chat you are using in vanish mode.
    Swipe up and hold the screen
  1. Now, swipe up the bottom of the chat and hold it.
  2. You’ll see a message saying, “Release to turn off vanish.” Then, release the swipe you were holding.
    Release the screen to turn off vanish mode
  1. Now, the vanish mode is turned off.

Method 2: Use Chat Settings to Remove Vanish Mode

If you can’t seem to remove the vanish mode from your chat with the above steps, you can visit chat settings.

  1. Launch Instagram, go to Messages. Open the chat where the feature is on.
  2. Then, click on the username at the top of the screen.
  3. Press on the Privacy & Safety option.
    Tap on Privacy amd Safety
  1. Now, turn off the toggle to the Vanish mode.
    Turn off the toggle of Vanish mode
  1. Your vanish mode is disabled successfully.
Notes

The vanish mode is not available on the desktop, and thus, you won’t be able to turn it off on the desktop app.

Why Do People Use Vanish Mode on Instagram?

Since vanish mode lets you chat in private, it’s obvious that people use it for privacy. Apart from that, people also use it for:

  • Privacy Protection

    As the conversations disappear once you leave the chat, it makes sure your messages don’t get exposed to other people.

  • Temporary Content Sharing

    There are moments when you have to share some photos and videos but don’t want them to remain in your chats. In these situations, people use vanish mode, so the messages disappear as soon as the receiver sees them.

  • Reduce Digital Footprint

    The longer your chats are, the more digital footprints you create, which creates a huge leeway for hackers. So, if your chat with the other person is not top secret, you can use it in vanish mode and reduce your online traces.

  • Sharing Sensitive Information

    Since you can’t trust anyone with your personal information, it’s obvious to use vanish mode, so nobody can screen record, copy, or forward your personal data.

  • Casual Chats

    Many people use this feature so they can talk freely with friends and lovers without fear of being caught or judged.

Troubleshooting Tips for Instagram Vanish Mode

If you are somehow unable to disable the vanish mode on your Instagram, it’s probably because something went wrong during the process. To ensure that, check whether:

  • You are using the vanish mode in a one-on-one chat, as this feature doesn’t apply to group chats.
  • You have a stable internet connection.
  • You are using the mobile app, not a desktop one.

However, if it still doesn’t work, you can try the following tips:

  1. Update the Instagram

    Since an outdated version might cause bugs and glitches, make sure you are using the latest version of Instagram by heading to the app store.

  1. Reboot Your Device

    If you have any tech or software-related issues with your phone, try restarting your device. It will refresh your system settings and help you fix any possible problems.

  1. Clear Cache

    A piled-up and old cache can be the root of many problems. So, clear your Instagram cache and clear out the unnecessary junk to make sure the app runs smoothly.

Should Parents Be Concerned About Their Kids Using Vanish Mode on IG?

It’s possible that your kid is using Instagram Vanish mode with their supposed BFFs. Although it’s not something to fuss over, it would be better if you learned about this feature, as it has some risks worth taking note of.

  • It creates a false delusion for kids that their chats are safe, though people can still screenshot and save their chats.
  • If, by any chance, someone on the internet uses the feature for cyberbullying, you won’t have any idea who or what it was, since the messages are gone.
  • Third parties can misuse your children’s data.
  • If some weird conversations are leaked, it could risk your child’s future.

So, you must keep your eyes out for this feature. If you like, you can also install social media controls or a parental control app like Boomerang on their device, but only if they agree.

Tips to Use Vanish Mode Safely on Instagram

If you or your kids are using vanish mode on Instagram, you must follow some unwritten rules.

  • Always Ask for Consent

    Always remember to notify the user on the other side when you are using vanish mode to show basic courtesy. There could be a huge frenzy if they like to keep a record of their chats.

  • Respect Privacy and Ethics

    Since the messages are still stored on the servers, make sure you go by the ethics and don’t post anything deemed inappropriate.

  • Don’t Use it for Professional Chats

    Vanish mode is typically used for casual chats. So, you should not use it for professional chats, where you need to keep records of what you talked about for legal purposes. 

Conclusion

This was it for how to turn off vanish mode on Instagram.

Vanish mode on IG is a great lifesaver when I’m having casual chats with yappers or sharing personal information. 

However, since it’s not 100% private, it’s better to just turn off the feature to avoid causing unnecessary trouble. If your kids use this feature, you can set up Instagram parental controls to make sure they are safe while using the app.

FAQs

How to turn off Vanish mode on Instagram?

To turn off vanish mode Instagram, head to the messages, open the chat, swipe up and hold the bottom of the chat, then release it when the screen says, ‘Release to turn off the vanish mode.’.

Can I take a screenshot of messages while using vanish mode?

Yes, you can take a screenshot of messages while using vanish mode, though it will notify the user on the other side.

How to remove Vanish mode on Instagram on all chats?

It’s not possible to turn off Vanish mode on all chats on Instagram.

How to find out if someone is using vanish mode?

When vanish mode is activated or deactivated, both users get notified.

Does vanish mode delete all messages?

All the messages you share in vanish mode are temporary and disappear after a while. However, all the data is stored on the app servers for a specific period.

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